PARIS — Officer Nate Bowie is planning to leave the Paris Police Department and the news of another officer’s departure is causing concern with some residents.

Reached Tuesday morning, Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant confirmed Bowie had completed the hiring process with his office and anticipated he would be coming on board within the next two weeks.

Gallant said Bowie had previously applied to join the department as a part- or full-time officer.

Chief Deputy Dane Tripp’s retirement and subsequent promotions in the Sheriff’s Office left an open deputy slot and Bowie was offered the position, Gallant said.

The news, coming after the June departure of Zane Loper and Tim Gamache from the Paris Police Department, is causing concern with some residents.

At Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, resident Jack Richardson said, by his count, four officers – 50 percent of the department – had left in the last seven months.

“It’s bad enough to find out, like I did today, that during the last 11 years we have lost 17 … that’s more than one a year,” Richardson said. “But then 50 percent in the first seven months of this year … that’s unprecedented, even for us.”

“Is there a problem with management and leadership in the department?” he asked.

“We’re aware of this issue and we’re taking it into advisement,” board Chairman Sam Elliot said. “We’re concerned also.”

Michael Risica told the board he was concerned that Paris was turning into a “training base” for other towns. He said Paris officers seemed to gain experience in Paris then leave for other posts.

“Shouldn’t we have something written into the employment policy that you have to be a resident of the town in order to be an employee of the town?” Risica asked.

Risica told the board that it cost the town every time a new officer needs to be sent to the Maine Criminal Justice Academy and the departures were disruptive to the department.

Elliot said again that the board was concerned about the situation, but was not at liberty to discuss an ongoing personnel matter.